Haley Estabrook is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Westview High School for AZpreps365.com

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- The Westview Knights girls volleyball team beat the La Joya Community Lobos, 3-0, on Wednesday Night. 

After a six-game losing streak, the Knights have now won their past two games and, improving to 3-7 on the season while the Lobos extended their losing streak to five games and fell to 3-6.

Head coach Alexandria Bybee credited both of the Knights wins to togetherness and communication on the court. 

“I think that communication is a big part of it," Bybee said. “The communication, and the energy level and just being able to come together when things get difficult instead of pulling into six individuals.”

In the first set, both teams came out quick, scoring three points. The teams rallied back and forth as the set continued before the Knights pulled away, winning 25-20. Senior setter Dylan Cain found a hole in the Lobos defense early and continually hit the ball in the gap to score for the Knights. 

“We had like a lot of energy. I was kind of feeling myself a little bit more. I had the aggression to hit the ball instead of just tip,” Cain said.

The second set started identical to the first as each team scored an early three points. After getting in a rhythm, the Knights created a large lead. Senior middle hitter Trinity Lauer had a huge kill to the middle of the Lobos defense that gave the Knights a nine-point lead, 19-10. The Lobos went on a 3-0 run but could not come back to beat Westview, which won the set 25-13. 

“I just love those overhead passes where I get to kill them and I was just so excited for my team because I know they get pumped up when that happens,” Lauer said. “Honestly, that’s the best thing.”

The Lobos scored first in the third set and gained a small lead of 4-2. After, the Knights could not be contained as they went on a 10-0 run. The Lobos worked to cut the lead at the end but Westview held tough and won 25-14. 

During the sets, the Knights freshman and junior varsity volleyball teams came together to cheer for varsity, but the cheering wasn’t just coming from the sideline. It was also coming from the court. 

“I feel like in previous weeks we don’t do as well together because we’re not cheering,” Lauer said. "When nobody’s cheering everybody’s down. We get a little more down on our mistakes, but when it’s a game like this, and we’re all together, we’re all cheering, and we’re all encouraging each other, I think it makes us do a lot better.”

This win jumps the Knights ahead of the Lobos in the 5A Desert West conference standings, bringing Westview to fifth while La Joya Community drops to sixth.

“I’m just excited to see where we can build off where we are now and just seeing how much more we can develop,” Bybee said. 

The Lobos and Knights will play each other again later in the season at La Joya Community High School on Oct. 25.

The Knights have a small break before preparing for their next conference game against the undefeated Millennium Tigers who are sitting at first in the 5A Desert West Conference. The teams will play each other at 6 p.m. on Monday at Millennium High School.